Disinfection Solution Provider Uviquity Emerges from Stealth with $6.6M

RALEIGH, N.C., — Uviquity, a deep tech startup developing next-generation photonic disinfection technologies, has emerged from stealth with $6.6 million in seed funding. The funding will support the company's R&D efforts, accelerating the productization of its core technology. The company is developing solid-state far-UV-C (200-230-nm) semiconductor light sources designed to deliver safe, continuous, and chemical-free disinfection for air, food, and water applications.

Unlike conventional UV-C solutions, far-UVC light has been proven safe for continuous exposure to human skin and eyes while rapidly inactivating all known pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and mold spores. Until now, far-UV-C systems have relied on bulky gas-discharge lamps with limited scalability and reliability, according to the company.

Uviquity's proprietary photonic integrated circuit couples blue laser light into frequency-doubling waveguides, enabling a compact, energy-efficient, and durable solution that can be integrated into light fixtures, air handling systems, food packaging and processing equipment, agricultural crop protection systems, water purification systems, and consumer appliances.

The round was led by Emerald Development Managers with participation from AgFunder and MANN+HUMMEL.

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Eye-Tracking Innovation Merges the Powers of Deflectometry, AI

Eye-tracking technology is critical in virtual and augmented reality headsets, scientific research, medical and behavioral sciences, automotive driving assistance, and industrial engineering. Tracking the movements of the human eye with high accuracy, however, is a daunting challenge.

Researchers at the University of Arizona Wyant College of Optical Sciences have demonstrated an approach that integrates deflectometry with advanced computation. The method, the researchers said, has the potential to significantly improve state-of-the-art eye-tracking technology.

“Current eye-tracking methods can only capture directional information of the eyeball from a few sparse surface points, about a dozen at most,” said Florian Willomitzer, associate professor of optical sciences and principal investigator of the study. “With our deflectometry-based method, we can use the information from more than 40,000 surface points, theoretically even millions, all extracted from only one single, instantaneous camera image.”

“More data points provide more information that can be potentially used to significantly increase the accuracy of the gaze direction estimation,” said Jiazhang Wang, postdoctoral researcher in Willomitzer's lab and the study's first author. “This is critical, for instance, to enable next-generation applications in virtual reality. We have shown that our method can easily increase the number of acquired data points by a factor of more than 3000, compared to conventional approaches.”

Deflectometry is a 3D imaging technique that allows for the measurement of reflective surfaces with very high accuracy. Common applications of deflectometry include scanning large telescope mirrors or other high-performance optics for the slightest imperfections or deviations from their prescribed shape.

The team conducted experiments with human participants and a realistic, artificial eye model. The team measured the study subjects’ viewing direction and was able to track their gaze direction with accuracies between 0.46 and 0.97 degrees. When tested on the artificial eye model, the error was around just 0.1 degrees.

Instead of depending on a few infrared point light sources to acquire information from eye surface reflections, the new method uses a screen displaying known structured light patterns as the illumination source. Each of the more than 1 million pixels on the screen can thereby act as an individual point light source.

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Biophotonics in Preclinical Studies

The term biophotonics encompasses the detection, emission, and absorption of photons. The creation, modification, and reflection of light can also be the basis of biophotonic methods.

Common examples of biophotonics studies include fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), biofluorescence, and bioluminescence.

FRET

FRET, also known as Foerster Resonance Energy Transfer, is based on transfer of energy from one fluorophore to another. The emission energy of the first fluorophore, the donor, provides excitation energy for the second fluorophore, the acceptor.

Cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), are two fluorophores that are commonly used together for FRET. These fluorophores can be engineered into a host cell to study molecular interactions within the cell.

FRET can be used to determine the conformation of proteins or detect protein interactions. It is also a popular method for studying enzyme kinetics.

FRET has wide applications in preclinical drug research. It is a powerful tool for measuring protein-protein interactions, which form the basis of most pre-clinical trials.

Examples of studies carried out using FRET include cell-cell adhesion, cell invasion, membrane matrix metalloproteinase activity, apoptosis, and cell division.
Biofluorescence and bioluminescence

Many biomolecules are either intrinsically fluorescent or luminescent, or can be designed that way by adding an appropriate chemical group.

This approach can be used to study components of cells or biomarkers, for example. Biomarkers are biomolecules that have been found to indicate a condition of disease or a change in a system.

Biofluorescent molecules allow diseases to be studied using a microscope or an instrument like a spectrophotometer.

Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC)

BiFC is a technology that allows measurement of protein-protein interactions between separate proteins.

BiFC is being used for studies of transmembrane domain receptor signaling, cellular stress, autophagy, and in vivo protein-protein interactions. It can also be used to study protein degradation.

Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP)

FRAP uses fluorescent proteins to mark regions of interest. The fluorescent proteins are then photobleached and the recovery of the fluorescence signal is measured.

FRAP has applicability for membrane dynamics, subcellular diffusion, and the study of chromatin or other processes within the nucleus. FRAP also can be used to study protein-protein interactions.

Photoswitching and photoactivation

Photoswitching and photoactivation are two other mechanisms where fluorescent proteins have be used in preclinical drug studies. These studies have applications for measuring cellular motility, morphology, and intracellular transport.

They have also been used to track tumor cells by repeated imaging of the same region over time, allowing the effects and mode of invasion by tumor cells to be elucidated.


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Biophotonics imaging transforms studies of neuronal activities

Yuehan Liu is a fifth-year doctoral candidate affiliated with the Biophotonics Imaging Technology Lab (BIT) advised by Xingde Li . She recently gave a talk at SPIE Photonics West BiOSentitled "Two-photon fiberscope with a proactive optoelectrical commutator for rotational resistance-free neuroimaging in freely-behaving rodents." Her talk focused on the recent progress of non-invasive imaging technologies that could revolutionize the study of brain function and diseases.

Biophotonics is an interdisciplinary field that applies Photonics — the branch of physics dealing with the creation, transmission, manipulation and reception of light — to biology-related studies, particularly in neuroscience. At the core of biophotonics is the use of photons and optical imaging techniques to study cells and tissue. Unlike traditional; biopsy, which requires the extraction of sample cells for examination, biophotonics allows biological cells to be examined while keeping their integrity so that they can be monitored in real time.

"Biophotonics provides alternatives to traditional imaging methods like X-rays or ultrasound. The technology offers a real-time, non-invasive look at biological tissues — with less risk and higher resolution images than ultrasound — and offers advantages over other techniques that might be harmful or require longer processing times," Liu said in an interview with The News-Letter.

Historically, to image live rodents, researchers have had to fix their heads on a stationary bench top to be examined under microscopes. For studies of non-stationary behavior, their heads have to be fixed the entire time, which is suboptimal. Liu highlighted the critical need for advanced optical imaging tools capable of capturing detailed neuronal activity in live, freely moving mice.

"When neuroscientists edit certain genes in mice that are believed to influence behavior, learning or memory, they want to see how these changes manifest in the mice's behavior," she said. “Traditional methods, which require animals to be immobilized, drastically alter their natural behaviors and lead to skewed or unrepresentative data."

Liu's work with the Fiberscope, a two-photon microscope, overcomes the constraints of traditional fixed imaging setups. With its compact design that fits all lenses and sensors inside a tube, the FiberScope is small and lightweight yet does not compromise on its ability to produce fast, high-resolution imaging comparable to standard-size microscopes.

Moreover, Liu and her team have optimized the FiberScope to provide an enlarged field of view with increased scanning range and speed that allows fast and stable imaging of multiple planes. With it, scientists can now observe over a thousand neurons simultaneously, offering insights into neuronal networks in a naturalistic setting.

"It's a revolutionary technique that allows us to watch neurons firing in living and freely moving rodents in real time, which is a game changer for studying the brain's communication pathways and animal behavior at the cellular level," Liu explained.

The work is laborious, and the success of such sophisticated optical instruments demands extreme precision for each minute component.

"Making instruments like the FiberScope is more than designing a theoretical optical system; it demands a meticulous level of dexterity and precision that brings it to reality. The lenses we work with are tiny, and every single one needs to be aligned with exacting accuracy. A slight misalignment would render the entire system futile," she said.

Currently, the FiberScope is mostly used to aid basic neuroscience studies, diagnose diseases and create disease models. Yet, the implications of Liu's research extend beyond academic interest, as biophotonics holds promise for enhancing clinical practices, particularly in guiding neurosurgical procedures and improving early disease detection. Still, there is a long way to go from animal tests to being able to apply this technology to humans.

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Quartz crystal tuning fork enhanced spectroscopy with self-calibration algorithms

 

1. Introduction

Gas sensing is a critical technique in environmental monitoring, industrial safety, and medical diagnostics. Traditional gas detection methods often face limitations in response time, accuracy, and adaptability to varying environmental conditions. This study presents a novel gas sensing system based on quartz crystal tuning fork (QCTF) enhanced spectroscopy, specifically applied to methane (CH₄) detection. By incorporating innovative self-calibration algorithms and a near-infrared diode laser system, the research aims to overcome the common challenges of slow calibration and environmental sensitivity.

2. Quartz Crystal Tuning Fork (QCTF) Enhanced Spectroscopy

QCTF is utilized in this study as a resonant detector to significantly boost gas sensing sensitivity and specificity. The tuning fork's resonant frequency and quality factor are leveraged for signal enhancement and environmental adaptability. The integration of these parameters into the detection algorithm allows the system to self-calibrate and maintain high accuracy even under dynamic conditions.

3. Methane Detection Using Near-Infrared Diode Laser

Methane (CH₄) serves as the model gas in this study due to its relevance in environmental and industrial monitoring. A distributed feedback (DFB) diode laser centered around 1653 nm is employed for its high selectivity in detecting methane absorption lines. The laser’s compatibility with wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) and second harmonic (2f) detection techniques ensures high-resolution gas concentration measurements.

4. Development of Self-Calibration Algorithms

Two novel self-calibration strategies are proposed: a hybrid single-frequency modulation algorithm for real-time tracking of QCTF resonance, and a quality factor-based calibration model to correct signal amplitude variations caused by environmental pressure changes. These algorithms drastically reduce calibration time from 30 s to 1 s, enhancing the system’s practicality for real-time applications.

5. Performance Evaluation and Dynamic Pressure Adaptability

The system demonstrates less than 1% measurement error even with pressure fluctuations up to 320 mbar, showcasing its robustness in field environments. Compared to conventional techniques, the proposed system improves temporal resolution by a factor of 30, offering significant benefits in scenarios requiring rapid and precise gas detection.

6. Implications and Future Prospects

This research illustrates the potential of QCTF-based gas sensors with real-time self-calibration for diverse applications, including environmental monitoring, industrial safety, and smart sensing networks. Future research could extend this methodology to multi-gas detection systems and explore miniaturization for portable sensing solutions.

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miRNA-34a Gold-Modified Screen-Printed Graphene/MoS₂ Sensor

 

1. Introduction

Breast cancer remains one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality among women globally. Traditional diagnostic approaches, such as tissue biopsies, though effective, are often invasive, expensive, and require considerable clinical expertise. This study addresses the growing need for less invasive, rapid, and cost-effective diagnostic alternatives by exploring a liquid biopsy-based strategy using microRNA detection. Specifically, it introduces a novel electrochemical biosensor designed to identify miRNA-34a, a known biomarker of breast cancer, thereby offering a promising solution for early and accurate disease detection.

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2. Development of a Two-Dimensional Nanocomposite-Based Biosensor

The biosensor developed in this research employs a composite of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), chosen for their synergistic physicochemical properties. These two-dimensional materials exhibit high surface area and electrical conductivity, which are crucial for improving biosensor sensitivity. Furthermore, the sulfur atoms in MoS₂ facilitate the anchoring of metallic nanoparticles, such as gold, enhancing probe immobilization. This strategic combination forms the basis of a powerful sensing platform suitable for the electrochemical detection of nucleic acid biomarkers.

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3. Functionalization and Enhancement via Gold Nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) play a pivotal role in the biosensor’s performance by enhancing conductivity and enabling robust probe immobilization through thiol-gold covalent bonds. The incorporation of AuNPs onto the surface of the SPrGO/MoS₂ composite electrode not only increases the electrochemical activity but also provides high affinity for thiolated DNA probes. This ensures specific and stable hybridization with the target miRNA-34a, enabling precise detection with minimal background interference.

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4. Electrochemical Detection Mechanism

The detection strategy utilizes differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), a highly sensitive electrochemical technique, to monitor hybridization events. The current signal generated by the redox activity of ferrocyanide reflects the presence and concentration of miRNA-34a. The biosensor demonstrates a wide linear detection range from 0.1 nM to 1000 nM and an impressively low detection limit of 66 pM. This sensitivity is crucial for detecting miRNA-34a in clinical samples, where biomarker concentrations are often very low.

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5. Clinical Applicability and Performance Validation

The biosensor was evaluated using serum samples spiked with varying concentrations of miRNA-34a, representing low, medium, and high levels typically seen in patient populations. The results demonstrated high precision, accuracy, and repeatability, highlighting the potential of this platform for clinical diagnostics. The sensor’s stability and ease of use further support its application in point-of-care settings, especially in resource-limited environments where traditional biopsy procedures may not be feasible.

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6. Future Perspectives and Applications

The development of this SPrGO/MoS₂-based biosensor marks a significant step forward in the field of electrochemical diagnostics. Its capability to accurately detect miRNA-34a offers a foundation for expanding the platform to other miRNA biomarkers associated with various cancers or diseases. With further validation, such biosensors could become standard tools for early cancer detection, treatment monitoring, and potentially for personalized medicine approaches, bridging the gap between laboratory research and real-world clinical application.

Application of fluorescence spectroscopy in meat analysis:-

1. Introduction

Meat quality and safety are pivotal concerns in food science and consumer health. Traditional testing methods, while accurate, often involve complex, time-consuming, and sometimes destructive processes. In contrast, fluorescence spectroscopy has emerged as a powerful, non-destructive, and rapid analytical technique for assessing the quality and safety of meat products. This review explores how fluorescence-based technologies can revolutionize the monitoring and evaluation of meat, aligning with industry demands for efficiency and precision.

2. Principles of Fluorescence Spectroscopy in Meat Quality Detection

Fluorescence spectroscopy relies on the interaction between light and matter, where certain compounds in meat absorb light at a specific wavelength and emit it at a longer wavelength. These fluorescence signatures can reveal critical information about the biochemical and structural properties of meat. Understanding the fundamental detection principles enables the development of more targeted, accurate analytical methods for meat quality evaluation.

3. Fluorescence-Based Techniques for Meat Quality Assessment

Several fluorescence-based techniques have been developed to improve meat analysis. These include fluorescence probes for detecting specific chemical markers, fluorescence sensors for real-time monitoring, and surface-enhanced fluorescence to boost signal sensitivity. Advanced methods like excitation-emission matrices (EEMs), synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, and front-face fluorescence spectroscopy further expand the range of detectable parameters, providing a comprehensive picture of meat quality.

4. Applications of Fluorescence Spectroscopy in Meat Safety

Beyond quality assessment, fluorescence spectroscopy plays a critical role in ensuring meat safety by detecting contamination, spoilage, and adulteration. By targeting key indicators such as microbial load, oxidation products, and chemical residues, fluorescence analysis enables early and accurate identification of potential hazards, thus safeguarding public health.

5. Advantages of Fluorescence Spectroscopy in Meat Analysis

Fluorescence spectroscopy offers numerous advantages, including rapid testing, minimal sample preparation, high sensitivity, and the ability to conduct non-destructive analysis. When combined with data-driven techniques like chemometric analysis and machine learning, fluorescence spectroscopy can achieve even higher precision and reliability, making it ideal for both laboratory and on-site applications.

6. Future Directions and Challenges

Although fluorescence spectroscopy holds immense potential for meat quality and safety analysis, challenges such as standardization of protocols, data interpretation complexity, and adaptation to diverse meat matrices remain. Future research should focus on refining the sensitivity and specificity of fluorescence methods and integrating them with smart technologies for real-time, automated meat inspection systems.

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